LCAA WRESTLING: Hudson set to chase 5th straight state title

The four-time defending Division 4 state champion Hudson High School wrestling team has big shoes to fill, but still returns plenty of firepower.

The top-ranked Tigers will boast an individual state champion among six returning state qualifiers in their drive for five.

Davison owns the state record with five titles from 2002 to '06.

"We have a big challenge filling the vacancies from 152 through 189," Hudson coach Scott Marry said. "Hopefully as the season progresses the team will too, and at the end of the season, we hope to be in position to defend our state title from last year."

Junior 130-pounder Cole Weaver went 51-0 and won a state title at 119 last season. He enters the season ranked No. 1 in Division 4 at 130.

Junior JD Waters (145) is ranked No. 1, while senior Zach Rieger (285), junior Isaac Dusseau (119) and sophomore Roddy Hamdan (103/112) are each ranked second in their respective weight classes. Rieger, Dusseau and Waters finished third at states, while Hamdan took fifth.

Sophomore state qualifier Tyler Roberts returns and will compete at 112. He is ranked eighth.

"We have a strong nucleus or juniors and seniors along with several state placers and qualifiers," Marry said. "Our goal is still to compete for the LCAA title along with competing for the team state title."

BLISSFIELD: The Royals hope to build on last year's 19-18 dual record, the first team winning record in recent history.

"We are looking to improve on last year," Blissfield coach Andy Ford said. "We have a big number of starters coming back from last year."

Two-time regional qualifier and county tournament participant junior Dan Barta returns at 130 pounds. Junior Cavin Beckey (119) also qualified for regionals and competed in the county tournament last season.